Date of Award

Spring 8-1-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Athletic Training

First Advisor

Jody Brucker

Second Advisor

Kellie Huxel

Third Advisor

Thomas Nesser

Abstract

Context: Reports of bracing on whole body bilateral movements and single directional motions are unclear about whether or not the performance of uninjured active people is affected. Objective: To isolate the braced limb, while performing multidirectional tasks, to gain a better understanding of the effects of bracing on performance. Design: A 1 X 3 repeated measures design with the bracing condition (unbraced, lace-up, and semi-rigid) as the independent variable. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Thirtysix uninjured, physically-active, volunteers (M: 18, F: 18, age: 23 .6±2. 7y, ht: 173.8±9.3cm, mass: 74.4±12.7kg, reach leg length: 91.9±5.lcm). Main Outcome Measure(s): The average of 3 Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) trials in the 8 directions (anterior, anterior-lateral, lateral, posterior-lateral, posterior, posterior-medial, medial, and anterior-medial) normalized by subjects reach leg length (%LL). Intervention(s): Data trails were collected following 6 practice trials of the current condition according to a BLS. Results: Bracing condition had no effect (P > 0.05) on any of the SEBT directional measures. The 95% Cls of our data were ½ of a 5% LL practical difference, which represents a -2 inch reach distance difference. Conclusions: Athletic trainers and allied health professionals should not fear using ankle braces as bracing does not affect dynamic balance in uninjured subjects.

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